GB2052126A

GB2052126A - Teaching system utilizing sound recording and reproduction

Info

Publication number: GB2052126A
Application number: GB8015460A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-05-11
Filing date: 1980-05-09
Publication date: 1981-01-21
Also published as: ES8302338A1; ES480464A0; FR2456356A1

Abstract

A teaching system for use in teaching languages utilizes sound recording and reproduction. During a first step, a stereophonic recording apparatus records oral information or songs in a language to be studied in one channel and a simultaneous mother-tongue translation in the other channel. Other sounds, such as music or ambient noise may also be recorded by using a mixing console. During a second step, the two channels are reproduced simultaneously, a balance control being provided for adjustment of the relative levels.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements introduced in teaching systems by means of sound recording and reproductions The present invention refers to improvements in teaching systems by means of sound recordings and reproductions.

The invention is specially designed to improve the heretofore known methods for teaching languages, proportioning a novel system whereby the pupil learns a language in a highly rapid manner, without requiring a great intellectual stress.

The improvements benefit from the advantages proportioned by the audiovisual teaching means but no images are needed, since the images corresponding to the words of the foreign language the pupil is listening to are produced in the sub-conscious of the pupil. Therefore, there is contemplated the simultaneous recording of the language to be studied and the corresponding translation thereof into the mother tongue made on any kind of recording apparatus, such as magnetic tapes, cassettes, records, etc., by recording the language to be studied on one of the two recording channels while the corresponding translation will simultaneously be recorded on the second channel. Thus, the pupil will be listening to the language being studied with one ear, while he will simultaneously be listening to the translation in his mother tongue with the other ear.

By means of this system, which can in principle seem confusing, the intellect of the student automatically assimilates, after repeatedly hearing the text to be learnt, the different words and phrases of the language being studied with the corresponding translation thereof and the associated image, a fact which causes the student to dominate the language being studied with a minimum of intellectual stress.

It can be deduced from the aforegoing that two different phases are necessary to carry out the objects of the invention: a) A recording phase of the lesson to be studied; b) A reproducing phase of said lesson.

Referring to phase a), there is no doubt that this phase should be carried out by the school undertaking the teaching method, since this recording phase comprises two pedagogical steps, i.e. the recordings to be learnt and the technical aspects, in other words, the manner in which the recordings are made and the corresponding simultaneity thereof.

In this respect it should be pointed out that the recording apparatus should necessarily be provided with at least two recording channels, so that the lesson to be studied is recorded on one of them while the simultaneous translation is recorded on the other channel. Thus, when using a magnetic tape, or a cassette, or a record, the stereophonic tapes, cassettes or records existing in the market can perfectly be utilised to carry out the invention, a fact which will greatly facilitate the putting into practice of the system. Therefore, the user will be able to utilise conventional reproducing apparatus to carry out phase b).

Besides, the system in question can be slightly modified with respect to the recording thereof, in the sense that a mixer can be used to record, on each channel, different informations at a different level. Consequently, the recording of the text to be learnt can be combined with musical effects, ambient noises. songs, etc. which can likewise be reproduced in the other channel with the corresponding translation.

With respect to the recording phase a), anyone of the conventional systems, such as the techniques utilized in dubbing films, could be used, which fact does not cause any problem at the time of putting into practice the invention, in view of the present state of the art.

With respect to the reproducing phase b), and since the user is utilising a stereophonic apparatus, it will be provided with its corresponding balance potentiometer. Thus, the signal level relating to the recording corresponding to the language being studied or to the recording of the translation thereof, could be adjusted at will, proportioning a higher or lower volume, at will, of the contents pertaining to each one of the channels of the recording apparatus.

Likewise, should the user desire to listen to only a single recorded channel, for example, that of the language to be studied, he could provide the output level of this channel with the maximum intensity, proportioning a zero level to the remainder of the channel. The pupil will thereby be returning to the conventional teaching methods, a fact which proportions the system in question with a more versatile characteristic.

It should be stated that although this specification refers to stereophonic methods and two-channelled recording apparatus, the system is also compatible with quadrophonic recording systems, i.e. four channels, wherefore the possibilities of the system would be largely increased.

Consequently, the invention proportions a novel teaching system which, due to the characteristics thereof, contribute to a rapid formation of the student and a better assimilation of the studied material, with the characteristic advantage that it does not require costly elements to put it into practice inasmuch as the recording/reproducing systems existing in the market can advantageously be used.

1. Improvements introduced in teaching systems by means of sound recordings and reproductions, especially designed for use in studying languages, essentially characterised by comprising a phase consisting in proportioning a recording apparatus, such as a magnetic tape, record, or cassette or any other stereophonic means, with oral information or songs in the language to be studied through one of the channels thereof, which recording is combined with another equivalent and simultaneous recording into the mother tongue, said recordings

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements introduced in teaching systems by means of sound recording and reproductions The present invention refers to improvements in teaching systems by means of sound recordings and reproductions. The invention is specially designed to improve the heretofore known methods for teaching languages, proportioning a novel system whereby the pupil learns a language in a highly rapid manner, without requiring a great intellectual stress. The improvements benefit from the advantages proportioned by the audiovisual teaching means but no images are needed, since the images corresponding to the words of the foreign language the pupil is listening to are produced in the sub-conscious of the pupil. Therefore, there is contemplated the simultaneous recording of the language to be studied and the corresponding translation thereof into the mother tongue made on any kind of recording apparatus, such as magnetic tapes, cassettes, records, etc., by recording the language to be studied on one of the two recording channels while the corresponding translation will simultaneously be recorded on the second channel. Thus, the pupil will be listening to the language being studied with one ear, while he will simultaneously be listening to the translation in his mother tongue with the other ear. By means of this system, which can in principle seem confusing, the intellect of the student automatically assimilates, after repeatedly hearing the text to be learnt, the different words and phrases of the language being studied with the corresponding translation thereof and the associated image, a fact which causes the student to dominate the language being studied with a minimum of intellectual stress. It can be deduced from the aforegoing that two different phases are necessary to carry out the objects of the invention: a) A recording phase of the lesson to be studied; b) A reproducing phase of said lesson. Referring to phase a), there is no doubt that this phase should be carried out by the school undertaking the teaching method, since this recording phase comprises two pedagogical steps, i.e. the recordings to be learnt and the technical aspects, in other words, the manner in which the recordings are made and the corresponding simultaneity thereof. In this respect it should be pointed out that the recording apparatus should necessarily be provided with at least two recording channels, so that the lesson to be studied is recorded on one of them while the simultaneous translation is recorded on the other channel. Thus, when using a magnetic tape, or a cassette, or a record, the stereophonic tapes, cassettes or records existing in the market can perfectly be utilised to carry out the invention, a fact which will greatly facilitate the putting into practice of the system. Therefore, the user will be able to utilise conventional reproducing apparatus to carry out phase b). Besides, the system in question can be slightly modified with respect to the recording thereof, in the sense that a mixer can be used to record, on each channel, different informations at a different level. Consequently, the recording of the text to be learnt can be combined with musical effects, ambient noises. songs, etc. which can likewise be reproduced in the other channel with the corresponding translation. With respect to the recording phase a), anyone of the conventional systems, such as the techniques utilized in dubbing films, could be used, which fact does not cause any problem at the time of putting into practice the invention, in view of the present state of the art. With respect to the reproducing phase b), and since the user is utilising a stereophonic apparatus, it will be provided with its corresponding balance potentiometer. Thus, the signal level relating to the recording corresponding to the language being studied or to the recording of the translation thereof, could be adjusted at will, proportioning a higher or lower volume, at will, of the contents pertaining to each one of the channels of the recording apparatus. Likewise, should the user desire to listen to only a single recorded channel, for example, that of the language to be studied, he could provide the output level of this channel with the maximum intensity, proportioning a zero level to the remainder of the channel. The pupil will thereby be returning to the conventional teaching methods, a fact which proportions the system in question with a more versatile characteristic. It should be stated that although this specification refers to stereophonic methods and two-channelled recording apparatus, the system is also compatible with quadrophonic recording systems, i.e. four channels, wherefore the possibilities of the system would be largely increased. Consequently, the invention proportions a novel teaching system which, due to the characteristics thereof, contribute to a rapid formation of the student and a better assimilation of the studied material, with the characteristic advantage that it does not require costly elements to put it into practice inasmuch as the recording/reproducing systems existing in the market can advantageously be used. CLAIMS

1. Improvements introduced in teaching systems by means of sound recordings and reproductions, especially designed for use in studying languages, essentially characterised by comprising a phase consisting in proportioning a recording apparatus, such as a magnetic tape, record, or cassette or any other stereophonic means, with oral information or songs in the language to be studied through one of the channels thereof, which recording is combined with another equivalent and simultaneous recording into the mother tongue, said recordings being separately fixed to the recording apparatus and simultaneously reproduced by independent audition channels, the recording phase of the apparatus being provided with a mixing console for introducing into one or both recording channels complementary information, such as music, ambient noises, etc., and the reproducing phase being provided with a balance control potentiometer to adjust the output level of each recording channel.

2. Improvements introduced in teaching systems by means of sound recordings and reproductions according to claim 1, characterised in that one of the channels of the recording apparatus used, such as a magnetic tape, a record or a cassette, or any other means, is provided with oral information or songs in one language while the corresponding translation into a different language is simultaneously recorded on the other channel.

3. Improvements introduced in teaching systems by means of sound recordings and reproductions according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the student listens to information in one language with one ear, while he simultaneously listens to the corresponding translation into his mother tongue with the other ear.